can't decide when to go

[pigletforever]

Last time we went to WDW we went in October for the F&W. IT was wonderful and the crowds were small - relative speaking.

It appears we will be able to go next Christmas season. Orginally we talked about going DEcember 25,2010 to JAn 2, 2011. But I know crowds are not the best during that time. So we started talking about December 31 -Jan 8, 2011 approx. My problem is I want to go when I can see all the Christmas Decorations. I know they come down about that time. I know Christmas is more expensive but for once money won't be an object for a trip. We will be staying Poly or WL CL either way.

Our youngest son has Asperger's and needs some down time.

What are your thoughts on when to go?

[MaxsDad]

You should get to see all the christmas decorations during that time, someone correct me if I am wrong but I believe they start to come down around the 3rd? That should give you a couple of days at least with decorations being up.
I can't speak for crowds but they would probably be heaviest in the beginning of the trip 12/31 and possibly start to lessen that weekend, after the decorations come down, don't know how much the crowds would change though.

[jeast]

I don't know when the decorations come down, but that is the absolute busiest time of the year. I understand that people start leaving the sat and sun before school starts back up, so around the 3rd the crowds will start to dwindle.

I wouldn't go then just for the decorations. Is there any way to go before Christmas? Early december is low crowd, the MVMCP is on, and it's a bit cheaper.

If not, just go prepared for crowds and tour carefully. It won't be anything like October, though.

[jwfla422]

Originally Posted by pigletforever

Last time we went to WDW we went in October for the F&W. IT was wonderful and the crowds were small - relative speaking.

It appears we will be able to go next Christmas season. Orginally we talked about going DEcember 25,2010 to JAn 2, 2011. But I know crowds are not the best during that time. So we started talking about December 31 -Jan 8, 2011 approx. My problem is I want to go when I can see all the Christmas Decorations. I know they come down about that time. I know Christmas is more expensive but for once money won't be an object for a trip. We will be staying Poly or WL CL either way.

Our youngest son has Asperger's and needs some down time.

What are your thoughts on when to go?

Well if you don't mind the most crowded time of the year then Xmas week would be for you. I know there are many people who like to go this time of the year because of the holidays. (I am NOT one of those) I prefer when it's less crowded.

You may still find decorations right after New Yrs but I found that many of them came down one year when we went right after New Yrs', although we still saw the Osbourne lights and the Jingle Jungle Parade at AK, but many of the resorts already took their decorations down.

Also double check when the marathon is because the resorts will really fill up quick for that first week of Jan. if you decide on this time instead. We found the resort restaurants VERY busy the weekend of the marathon. But, on the immediate days after New Yrs you'll probably find the parks quite empty depending on what day of th week New Yrs Day falls.

The best time to see holiday decorations without the holiday crowds is the week or 2 before Xmas.

[pigletforever]

Originally Posted by jeast

I don't know when the decorations come down, but that is the absolute busiest time of the year. I understand that people start leaving the sat and sun before school starts back up, so around the 3rd the crowds will start to dwindle.

I wouldn't go then just for the decorations. Is there any way to go before Christmas? Early december is low crowd, the MVMCP is on, and it's a bit cheaper.

If not, just go prepared for crowds and tour carefully. It won't be anything like October, though.

We would go before Christmas but our oldest son is in college and he will be going with us. I usually use Passporter and TGM. So that should be helpful. Our college son doesn't care what week we go. Our 7 year old will be thrilled we are going again. It appears if the marathon starts on the 7th and we leave on the 8th we should be OK that way.

I will keep thinking.